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Calling all book clubs and bookworms: This Saturday, April 27, will mark the fifth annual Independent Bookstore Day. Recognized each year on the last Saturday in April, the occasion represents the perfect time renew your New Year’s resolution to read or jumpstart your summer book list.

When it comes to money, most decisions come down to a dollar amount, rather than an account number. It’s easy to take for granted which bank manages the account and focus instead on how much remains in the account after an expense or how much interest has accrued on a loan. Particularly in the age of online bill pay and mobile banking, the institution behind the account can seem more fungible than the money in the account itself.

In 1980, the Georgia Main Street Program represented an innovative idea: Five local communities joined the National Main Street Center’s pilot program to test a new approach to downtown revitalization.

When spring is in the air, downtown comes to life. This month’s events tend to have a colorful streak, celebrating the blossoming flowers, savory flavors and diverse cultures that make each community unique. When you step outside to enjoy the spring air, make sure to turn your attention downtown.

At Trio Hardware in Plainview, New York, there’s no shortage of helping hands. The Long Island small business has outgrown two locations in its more than 50-year history, thanks to overwhelming community support from loyal customers

A & B Paint Supply in LaSalle, Illinois, offers customers “a paint for every purpose.” Recently, this family-owned business turned what otherwise would have been a slow sales month into an opportunity to sell paint for a particularly important purpose

Starting or growing your small business can often feel like a competitive sport. No matter what industry you occupy, your small business will face tough competition from well-seeded, big-box businesses with deep benches to back them up.

In a town with just 90 residents, every cause counts. Giving back to one organization without a doubt touches every local family in some way. That’s why Round Top Mercantile Company, a family-owned general store and STIHL outdoor power equipment dealer in Round Top, Texas, opens its doors — and its porch — to any group that asks.

For Karen Munson, the aisles of her family’s hardware store feature more than tools, supplies and feed — they also set the scene for an entire cast of characters, performances and memories. Munson belongs to a family of independent retailers, with roots in the hardware business stretching back to 1926. Paying homage to this lineage and her own experiences, Munson is now transforming her family’s hardware store into a series of short stories.

From old homes to new businesses, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM) keeps Minnesota communities vibrant and growing. PAM, a nonprofit with a statewide focus, works with Minnesota homeowners, realtors, entrepreneurs and lawmakers to preserve the state’s rich culture through education and advocacy.